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Is is OK to drink hot water from the tap?

mjrpes3

mjrpes3

Golden Member
I've heard 'rumors' that you NEVER should drink hot water from tap, water that's gone through the hot water heater. If you want hot water, always get from cold tap and heat in the microwave.

Does anyone know if this is true or not, and what the reason is?
 
Seriously, if there was really something wrong with hot water from the tap, don't you think it would be more than just a rumor?
 
HAHA.. what?
Dude, the water mixes in the pipes anyways. If you are going to get whatever is "used to heat the water", you've gotten it already.
 
I don't think hot water from the tap is always clear. I have seen it with a whitish/grey color before.

This is not saying that its dangerous, but there could be some truth to the rumour.
 
True or not, at my apartment the hot water is fine. But at home the hot water comes out looking pretty dirty. Well, not dirty, but most certianly not clear. My parents just say they need to change their filter or something rather with the water heater.

Oddly enough the water is OK.

However, we did find out that the water period from the faucet was killing all the plants in the house. They tried using bottled water and the plants are fine now. Stupid, I know.
 
Originally posted by: brunswickite
I don't think hot water from the tap is always clear. I have seen it with a whitish/grey color before.

This is not saying that its dangerous, but there could be some truth to the rumour.
Click to expand...

Yeah, exactly. Whitish/Grey color.
 
My family used to boil water before we drank it (hot or cold). Nowadays, it's a combination of using a filter like Brita for cold water and the coffee maker for hot water.
 
If you have a water softener, you may not want to drink the hot water.

(edit: but I don't think it'll hurt you anyway -- if it was bad, it seems like your cold water would be somewhat contaminated too since they run through the same faucet and all)
 
hot water tends to sit in the pipes more than cold water which is regularly pushed through the pipes when you flush the toilet, etc... If you have an OLD house with lead pipes and or fixtures, the lead content will be higher in the hot water than the cold water. If you run the hot water for a while before drinking it, you do not have anything to worry about.
 
I have a chemist friend that works at the city water purification facility. From what she told me, don't drink the water from the faucet, ever. Boil it first.
 
Originally posted by: thirtythree
If you have a water softener, you may not want to drink the hot water.

(edit: but I don't think it'll hurt you anyway -- if it was bad, it seems like your cold water would be somewhat contaminated too since they run through the same faucet and all)
Click to expand...

Yeah, my parents have a water softener. My dad bought a new car, and my mom is about to do the same(Ford Exploder dying). They have yet to replace it, for the 3 years they have said they need to. I guess when their kids move out there's no need to do anything. 😛
 
Interesting replies. Sounds like there could be a difference between hot and cold water (depending on pipes/water softener/water heater age).... although the difference won't affect your life. 🙂
 
Boiling water does not solve many problems with water contaminants. We had a manganese scare here and not only does boiling do nothing, but water filters didn't remove it either.
 
You guys... I'm telling you, the water sits in the pipes no matter where it comes from. The white/grey water you see when it's hot is from rising air bubbles because it's evaporating.
It's the same water, warmer. It goes through the same places, though. My uncle is a plumber, he knows all about this. This type of rumor is probably how bottled water companies make a good chunk of their money, too.

Paranoia, lol.
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
I have a chemist friend that works at the city water purification facility. From what she told me, don't drink the water from the faucet, ever. Boil it first.
Click to expand...

Pretty funny.
 
Originally posted by: SSSnail
I have a chemist friend that works at the city water purification facility. From what she told me, don't drink the water from the faucet, ever. Boil it first.
Click to expand...

It might be a disturbing thought knowing what's actually inside the water, but it's not likely going to kill you.
 
the reason for this rumor is because the water in your hot water heater has been sitting in your hot water heater...and typically there are mineral deposits that can be built up in there. its not that its bad for you - it may just taste more metallic or be colored differently...
 
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